Jersey to host first ever open martial arts tournament

Tuesday 04 January 2022

A new children's competition aiming to build collaboration between the various martial arts in Jersey is launching next month.

The first-of-its-kind Jersey tournament will take place on Sunday 6 February 2022 at Haute Vallée School.

Open to children aged four to 16 at all levels, the competition aims to promote the spirit of fair play, honesty and respect.

Usually, children engaging in martial arts must travel off-island to compete against those outside their club, so competitions are normally restricted to students performing at an elite level.

The Jersey Open tournament aims to provide children of all levels of martial art knowledge and proficiency with the chance to benefit from competition against different students, in a fun and safe environment.

Pictured: The martial arts tournament will comprise seven different categories.

It will also highlight the wealth of martial arts classes present in Jersey and enable students who are not part of a class to participate in fun activities that will give them an insight into what martial arts involve.

Early sign-up is encouraged with an ‘early bird’ price until Monday 31 January 2022 of £30, with an additional siblings’ rate of £15.

All profit from the tournament is being donated to the Jersey Child Care Trust (JCCT), which provides services for children and families in need.

Pictured: The tournament gives islanders the chance to compete with children from other clubs, without needing to travel off-island. 

Matt Collins, Chief Instructor and Owner of Samurai Kickboxing Jersey, who came up with the concept of the Open Tournament, said: “This tournament not only offers exciting opportunities for the young people taking part to gain broader competitive experience, but it will raise vital funds to support more children in Jersey who need extra help.

“We have chosen the JCCT to benefit from all the profit raised because they share our values and practice of inclusion.

"In particular, they support children with disabilities and living with adversity; they help children to have their best start in life."

Participants will be divided based on their level of experience (novice, intermediate, experienced and advanced) and will compete in the following categories:

• sparring;

• patterns (katas/sequences);

• weapon displays;

• power;

• self-protection;

• high kick;

• flying kick.